Backpacking Gourmet in Glacier National Park and Surrounding Areas

GREAT GORP!
We've included some basics below, but to get really creative, visit The Great Gorp Contest, held by Backpacker Magazine.

BASIC GORP
Equal parts of nuts and various dried fruits with additions of chocolate or coconut or salty snacks like pretzels or breakfast cereal.
In this example we've used a cup measurement:

• 1 cup salted peanuts

• 1 cup raisins

• 1 cup M&Ms

Mix and portion out, remembering that 1 ounce provides 140 calories. Adjust the proportions to taste.

COMMON ADDITIONS
• Dried fruit: raisins, dried apricots, date nuggets, banana chips, apple chips, dried papaya, dried cranberries, dried cherries

• Nuts and seeds: peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds

• Chocolate and more: M&Ms, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, carob chips, dried coconut

• Salty stuff: Pretzels, sesame sticks, oriental rice crackers, salty "party mix" cereal

• Cereals: Any breakfast cereal, granola.

GORP BALLS!
INGREDIENTS:
1/3 cup each raisins, apples, apricots, dates and coconut

1/2 cup sesame seeds

1/3 cup walnuts

2 cups peanuts

1 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup honey

1/2 cup peanut butter

PREPARATION:
Mix dry ingredients. For the "glue", use 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/3 cup honey and 1/2 cup peanut butter. Shape into balls; nice snack for hiking trips or as an after-school snack.

TOP

EATING HERE > BACKPACKING GOURMET

LIGHTWEIGHT IS THE GOAL!
BY ANNA MCCABE

QUICK TIPS:
- Always pack in ziploc bags.

- Leave all unnecessary packaging, like outer boxes, in the front country

- ALWAYS pack extra food for emergencies

ABSOLUTELY NO:
Cans, jars, or bottles! They are unnecessarily heavy, and you'll have to pack them back out!

BEVERAGES
1. If you want to take liquor or wine into the backcountry pour them into a water bottle.

2. Powdered drinks such as Tang, Gatorade or hot chocolate are good choices.

3. Coffee with sugar and powdered creamer.

4. Powdered milk.

5. Teas.

BREAKFAST
1. Granola or cereal, choose cereal that won't crumble, such as All Bran or Grapenuts. Use powdered milk.

2. Bagels with jam or cream cheese. use packets of jam or cream cheese. (Costco has packets of cream cheese.)

3. Instant oatmeal is always a great choice. you can always add dried fruit, cinnamon or nuts.

LUNCH
1. Take hardy breads or crackers, such as bagels, pita, tortilla, or Wheat Thins.

2. Cheese will keep for several days - the harder the cheese the longer it keeps. Hard cheddars or parmesan are good choices. Don't take soft cheeses like Brie, it will melt in your pack.

3. Hard meats, such as salami, meat sticks, summer sausage or pepperoni.

4. Peanut butter and jelly are great to spread or dip with your hardy bread or cracker. Packets of jelly and peanut butter are nice and lightweight if you can find them, or scoop some out of the jar and DOUBLE ziploc.

SNACKS
1. Trail mixes or gorp, make your own or buy some at any local grocery store. I like to mix any of the following: granola, coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, banana chips), nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts, etc. ), M&Ms.

2. Energy bars, there are so many on the market it is hard to choose. My personal favorite is the Larabar, lemon flavor. It is all natural and always gives me the energy I need.

3. Dried fruit and fruit leather.

4. Chocolate bars, I always bring a nice chocolate bar to share with my girlfriends.

5. Granola bars, again there are so many on the market, pick whatever suits your fancy.

DINNER
1. Freeze dried dinners are lightweight and not as bad as you think. I always bring at least 2 nights' worth of freeze-dried dinner on a backpacking trip. They should be eaten your last nights, since they will keep forever. I buy Montana House brand, they haven't let me down yet!

2. Seafood is NEVER a good option!

3. Meat is difficult to bring backpacking because it is heavy and does not keep well. If you must bring meat, freeze it before your trip and bring it only for the first night.

4. Instant soups.

5. Noodle and sauce mixes. These are nice and lightweight, but don't offer much nutrition.

6. Stovetop stuffing, just add water.

7. Tortillas keep well and you can always make quesadillas.

8. I personally like to take fresh vegetables (already cut) and a quick cooking grain like bulgur, instant rice or quinoa (a grain very high in protein), and make a stir fry-like dinner. This meal can be a little heavy if you are going for a long trip. I cut up broccoli, zucchini, peppers, etc. and stir fry with a little soy sauce and curry, served over the grain. A very healthy meal!

9. I also take avocado, scallions and make quesadillas. I use whole-wheat tortillas and a Mexican blend of cheeses.

Every backpacking trip varies, as does each individual's appetite. Most people tend to eat more Leave No Trace ...Please. backpacking because you are burning a lot of calories. Plan your food and meals accordingly. If you are on a 10 day trip by yourself you won't want to bring fresh food. If, on the other hand, you are going with two friends on a 4 day hike fresh veggies would be ok. Also, if your goal is to travel 20 miles a day, you will need to be very light on weight. If you don't have any high expectations you have a little more weight. BOTTOM LINE: The lighter the pack the happier you will be!